Toward a political economy of World Heritage

The article explores the factors influencing the nomination and selection of heritage sites in the World Heritage List. Using country panel data and a unique dataset with individual site nominations, we provide evidence that the nomination of heritage sites to the List depends on the institutional and economic conditions of countries, and site selection is subject to rent-seeking by states and experts involved in the decision-making process. In particular, we test whether political factors, such as the involvement of countries in the World Heritage Committee, influence the inscription of national heritage sites in the List. The article contributes to the cultural economics literature by providing new insights into the political economy of conservation and promotion of heritage at the international level.